For Those Who Use Nux vomica in Their Clinical Practice

For Those Who Use Nux vomica in Their Clinical Practice

Strychnos Nux-vomica: A Poisonous Plant with Various Aspects of Therapeutic Significance

Nux vomica (or Strychnos Nux vomica (Family: Loganiaceae)) is a poisonous plant, commonly used in various medical systems such as traditional Chinese and Indian systems of medicine, and Homeopathy. Despite being poisonous it is commonly used for treating diseases such as paralytic and neuralgic affections, dyspepsia, itching, urinary disorders, joint pain, dysentery, emotional disorders, epilepsy,

Despite being poisonous it is commonly used for treating diseases such as paralytic and neuralgic affections, dyspepsia, itching, urinary disorders, joint pain, dysentery, emotional disorders, epilepsy, rheumatism and insomnia, etc.

A recent review by Maji Amal K and Banerji Pratim titled, “Strychnos nux-vomica: A Poisonous Plant with Various Aspects of Therapeutic Significance”, Special Issue: Interventions and Studies in Clinical Pharmacy, Journal of Basic and Clinical Pharmacy 2017, provides an insight of usage of Nux vomica in various systems of medicines.

This review describes a comprehensive summary on traditional uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and toxicity of nux vomica. It quotes,”To date, more than 90 chemical compounds have been isolated

“To date, more than 90 chemical compounds have been isolated from different parts of nux vomica and some active compounds exhibit various pharmacological effects such as anticancer, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antioxidant, neuroprotective, hepatoprotective, antidepressant, vasodilatory, spasmolytic, and so on. However, the strychnine and brucine were found to be the major active principles, responsible for its therapeutic potential and toxicity. As nux vomica is categorized as a potential toxic plant, much attention should be required to reduce its toxic effects using appropriate and validated detoxification techniques. Pharmacological studies on the processed extract of nux vomica (detoxified) exhibited greater efficacy with low toxicity than unprocessed extract. However, further research should be designed to determine safe and effective dose ceiling limit of processed extract for its therapeutic properties”.

Dr. Saurav Arora is an internationally acclaimed homeopathic physician, consultant, and independent researcher. Dr. Arora started his medical career after completing his medical graduate degree (BHMS) with Gold Medal in 2006 from prestigious Dr. B. R. Sur Homoeopathic Medical College, Hospital and Research Centre, New Delhi which is a fully run government medical college under Govt. of NCT of Delhi. After completing the internship, Dr. Saurav served as House Physician in the same institution for one year. In the year 2008 he was appointed as Senior Research Fellow in Extra Mural Research Scheme of Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India and Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences (INMAS), under Ministry of Defence where he worked till 2011, handling projects like Autoimmune Thyroiditis, Subclinical hypothyroidism, Vitamin D deficiency disorders etc. Following this Dr. Saurav continued to render his services from 2011- 2014 in Central Council for Research in Homeopathy, under Ministry of AYUSH, Govt. of India, looking after Fundamental and Collaborative Research section. Currently, Dr. Arora runs his own clinical practice in New Delhi, India and also works as an independent, freelance researcher to promote and support homeopathy.